"I apologize," he murmurs, bringing my hand to his mouth. He closes his eyes, inhaling deeply before his tongue peeks out to lick the entire length of the wound. A shiver goes down my back and I swallow hard as I keep myself still. He parts his lips over my palm, sucking on the residual blood. But even as the wound closes, he continues to slowly lap at it.

"That's enough," I say as I pull my hand away. "Thanks," I mutter awkwardly.

"I do not like you bleeding," he adds quietly. "You will not bleed again under my watch."

"Sorry to break it to you, but I bleed once a month whether you like it or not," I mumble dryly.

His eyes flash at me.

"What?" he thunders. "How?"

Amusement plays at my lips as I watch outrage flood his features.

"It's called menstruation," I chuckle.

He's staring at me, unblinking.

"An adult female bleeds once a month. I doubt it's any different in your world." After all, it's not only a human trait. Other mammals menstruate, too.

"I am not entirely familiar, but goddesses have different constitutions," he adds pensively. "This does not harm you?"

"I get cranky and tired, but it doesn't harm me."

He nods, though he still appears troubled by the concept.

"How could you not know this, Ze? It's biology."

"Female biology. I do not care for females," he grumbles.

"So you've said." I stifle a smile. "But you do realize this is part of a female's reproductive cycle, no?"

He blinks slowly. His cheeks redden and he looks away.

"Of course I am aware," he mumbles, avoiding my eyes.

Awkward silence descends between us.

"Well, you've healed me. Now where's my chocolate?"

His eyes widen, and he disappears. Not a second passes before he reappears, carrying a plate on which there's a chocolate figurine.

A figurine of him. A chocolate Ze.

"Here," he declares proudly as he thrusts the plate toward me.

"You... This is you." I point to the chocolate shape then at him.

He nods, a satisfied smile on his face.

"I found the best chef in all Aperion and I instructed him to make me the best chocolate."

"You asked him to shape it like you, too?"

"Of course." He nods. "So you know I am in earnest."

"Azerius," I sigh.

"Ze," he corrects. "For you, I only want to be Ze."

My lashes flutter at him.

"Ze." I clear my throat. "I don't understand you."

"It is chocolate. You like chocolate," he adds uneasily.

"I do, and this is nice and all, but why? You already told me how little you think of me. Why would you care to bring me chocolate, or a cow, or do all this"—I wave my healed palm—"when it's clear you believe me to be beneath you?"

"What?" His eyes flare with shock. "I would never⁠—"